Memory Foam

Hi there, in this article i will point out few facts about memory foam material, after reading my article i hope you will know how to choose the best material for you because not all memory foam created equal.

To make a there are 2 basic layers, it’s comfort and support layer. Comfort layer is where you get pressure relieve in a mattress and support layer is when the mattress make your spinal in right position. And this is one of the best comfort layer material in market right now.

What is Memory foam ?

it’s actually made from poly foam material but the maker add some chemical things to make a new foam with unique abillity ( it’s temperature sensitive and can relieve pressure well). It can melt to your body shape when it get heat by your body, that is why this material is great at relieving pressure points.

This material is known for it’s ability to mold to body and relieving pressure points

One of few benefits that people likes is it does a good job to isolate motion (so if your husband/wife move to toilet in middle of night you will not notice the mattress wave movement because it’s abilty to isolate motion)

SEE MY post about tuft and needle mattress HERE, which is good for side sleepers

This material is suitable for comfort layer but it is not suitable for support layer, if you find the support from memory foam mattress it is actually from support layer that placed beneath of comfort layer in bed (see many bed types here).

How to Choose The Best memory foam material?

There are few ways to know this material characteristic, it’s not that hard actually. In this article i will tell you how to judge it’s quality, is it good for your sleep position? and average how long it will last. (if you are looking for the best memory foam mattress topper, you must see my post HERE. I am using THIS method to choose topper)

There are 2 ways to know it’s characteristic it’s density and thickness

Density

What density mean in mattress ? it’s mean how much weight per cubic foot (4lbs/ft that’s mean 4 pounds per cubic foot), more dense the memory foam than it is higher quality, higher price and last longer than low density one.

For general guidelines, under 4 pounds is low quality and more suitable for ,4-5 pounds is medium quality, and 5 or more density is high quality.

As i said earlier more dense the material it will cost more unfortunately the cost difference is very big but i bet you won’t like it if your new mattress will sagging in few months, that’s why i recommend to choose at least 4lbs memory foam with that density it will suitable for any sleeping position.

Higher density the foam, it will be last longer and more durable than low density one, if you ever see someone complain why their memory foam mattress sagging after 6 months it’s probably because they use low density material.

However if compared to other comfort materials it is still behind in longetiveness (ex: latex, High Quality PolyFoam, or even High Quality innerspring)

Thickness

Choosing a right thickness also important, how to choose the right thickness is depent on your sleep position actually. If you pick memory foam layer that too thin than you probably will sink down to support layer thus will get you uncomfortable feeling in morning, but if you pick a thicker layer your spinal will not in right position while you sleep thus you will get back pain in morning.

as I already stated above that mattress/ supportiveness is came from support layer below comfort layer but comfort layer thickness also have an important role.

Thicker comfort layer the mattress will be less supportive

Average side sleepers need 3 to 4 inch sink down to mattress to get a good sleep position, so for memory foam comfort layer it will be 2 to 3 inch and the last 1 inch is support layer job to prevent your body sink too far.

Average back sleepers need 2 inch thick to get a proper sleep position, so for memory foam layer it need to 1 to 1,5 inch thickness and the last 1 inch is job for support layer.

And for the last sleep position (stomach sleepers) they don’t need to sink in too far because they might get bad neck alignment.

Longetiveness

For material with density below 4 lbs average life span will be 4 – 8 years but for density 5 lbs and up it will be still in good condition after 8.5 years (please take notes that are only average lifespan)

FAQ:

Is it safe for infant ?

Expert recommend that you must avoid using this material to your infant, it can increase chance of SIDS